Wartime closures at Jerusalem holy sites raise fears of lasting shift among Palestinians Palestinians say sweeping restrictions during Ramadan and ahead of Eid reflect security concerns, but there is concern they could ultimately reshape access to worship in the Old City. Palestine
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority Hamas has so far stayed out of the escalating Iran war, despite its longstanding alliance with Tehran, reflecting a cautious strategic calculation. By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Spain recalls Israel ambassador, calls Iran war 'flagrant illegality': What to know Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the US-Israel war in Iran a "flagrant illegality.” Israel
'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
Analysis Why Turkey’s exclusion from Gaza force may be a strategic blessing By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Palestinian candidates attacked, threatened ahead of elections Candidates for the Palestinian legislative elections are facing attacks on their properties and threats in an attempt to prevent them from running in the elections. Palestine
Abbas faces tough decision on Palestinian elections The pressure is intensifying for President Mahmoud Abbas to postpone the elections, which are becoming a dangerous game for the Israelis and other concerned parties. Palestine
Palestinian women still underrepresented on electoral lists Although the Palestinian electoral law has been amended to raise the quota for women's participation in the Palestinian elections from 20% to 26%, Palestinian women continue to be unfairly represented on electoral lists. Palestine
Gazans with COVID-19 symptoms refuse testing Some people in the Gaza Strip are hiding their COVID-19 symptoms and avoiding testing in order to keep their jobs. Palestine
Palestinians attend prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque amid Israeli virus restrictions Israeli officials controlling access to the mosque had limited the number of Palestinians able to worship on Friday, citing coronavirus concerns. Palestine
Hamas welcomes Abbas’ rivals in Gaza Strip As the Palestinian elections near, dismissed Fatah leader Nasser al-Qudwa arrived in the Gaza Strip in a rare visit after obtaining the approval of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, as President Mahmoud Abbas’ rivals step up their moves to build counterelectoral lists. Palestine
Israel cracks down on Hamas as Palestinian election nears Israel continues to pursue leaders of the Hamas movement in the West Bank, namely Hamas candidates in the legislative elections in a bid to undermine the movement's chances to win the vote. Palestine
UN experts warn of uptick in settler violence against Palestinians In the first three months of 2021, the UN human rights experts documented 210 incidents of violence against Palestinians. Palestine
Gaza animal shelter gets stray dogs off streets With help from the Gaza municipality, a rescue group has established a rare animal shelter in the enclave. Palestine
Will waqf expansion strengthen Jordan’s control of Jerusalem holy sites? The Jerusalem Waqf Council is now witnessing changes after years of no activity. With the change of names and an increase in the number of representatives, is the council now more or less representative of the Palestinians? Palestine
New archaeological discovery in St. Hilarion Monastery In cooperation with Palestinian experts, a French antiquities mission found graves dating back to the Byzantine era at the site of St. Hilarion in the western Gaza Strip. Palestine
Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak The gold industry in Gaza has thrived amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in terms of increased production locally and enhanced quality and availability of a variety of gold products and jewelry. Palestine
